Heart of the Highlands: The Beast by April Holthaus (Review and Giveaway!)

Today I'm featuring World's Best Story 2nd place winner! If you are a fan of historical romance with plenty of action and full of swoon-worthy sword-wielding Highlander Scots, you should check this one out. There's also a giveaway to win a paperback copy and s $25 Amazon gift card!

For hundreds of years, Scotland has battled the English for their freedom. Now, they face a new enemy. In a divided world between politics and religion, the young King James V faces the threat of his own people rebelling against him. As civil war breaks out among the Highland clans, James recruits a secret group of warriors for protection. He calls them the Protectors of the Crown.

Ian MacKay has one mission; to defend the crown no matter the cost. Along with his men, Ian's mission is to hunt down one of the most dangerous men in the Highlands. But when the daughter of an enemy enters his life, his heart becomes captured instead.

Keira Sinclair has lived a life of peace and simplicity until now. With her clan on the verge of losing everything, she is forced to wed a Laird from a neighboring clan to ensure that hers survives. During her travels to her new home, her carriage is attacked and Keira is taken hostage by a ruthless man.

Caught in the middle of a war that she does not understand, will Keira's secrets be safe, or will she succumb to the Highland warrior who now threatens to capture her heart?

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

It's been a long time since I read an historical romance novel set in medieval Scotland and I was eager to dig into this one. This was a fun book to escape with! The novel is set at a time when the Highland clans are at civil war with one another. A secret group of warriors known as Protectors of the Crown are on a mission to protect their King James. Among these is Ian MacKay, who comes upon Keira Sinclair as she is travelling on her way to meet her betrothed.

Sparks fly as these two headstrong characters find themselves at odds even as they are attracted to one another. When Ian discovers she is betrothed to a dangerous man, a person she has never met, and one that he is hunting, he keeps her in his custody both for her protection and also to discover what connection Keira's father has with this man.

I enjoyed the history, the romance, the action and the plot. The book was well-paced and kept my attention throughout. There are two sex scenes that are explicit but dignified and take place between a married couple. I enjoyed that this is the first book in the Protectors of the Crown series and I am tempted to read the second book which is already published.

If you are a fan of historical romance with plenty of action and full of swoon-worthy sword-wielding Highlander Scots, you will enjoy this one.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book. I was not told how to rate or review this product. All opinions are my own.

Praise for Heart of the Highlands:

"The Beast was a highly enjoyable romance." - Readers Favorite Book Reviews
"Heart of the Highlands: The Beast reminded me why I love historical romances and need to read more of them!"- NightOwl reviews
"The romance was sigh-worthy." - Kilts and Swords
"A new and exciting series." - My Book Addiction and More
"Rich, Rich, Rich in detail. Well written and researched." - World's Best Story Judge

Heart of the Highlands: The Beast is the first installment of the Protectors of the Crown Series. Here are the other books to follow:

Protectors of the Crown Series
Book Two- Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf; published
Book Three- Heart of the Highlands: The Dragon; 2018
Book Four- Heart of the Highlands: The Lion; TBA
Book Five- Heart of the Highlands: The Stag; TBA

This series follows a group of five warriors who live their life protecting their king and country. The historical setting is Scotland 1537-1538 during the reign of James V of Scotland.

April is an Award-Winning Author for her Scottish Historical Romances. For more than ten years, she has worked full time in the direct marketing business, but developed a passion for historical romances through her love of reading, history and genealogy.